Quakers complete deal for defender Kallum Griffiths

DARLINGTON have completed the signing of defender Kallum Griffiths following his departure from National League North rivals Gateshead.

The 31-year-old, pictured, made his name in North East non-league football with Spennymoor Town as he helped the Moors climb from the Northern League to the National League North.

Griffiths was also part of the Moors side that claimed the FA Vase with a 2-1 Wembley win against Tonbridge Wells in 2013.

His form at Brewery Field captured the attention of a number of clubs higher up the non-league pyramid but it was National League North club York City that gave him a move into fulltime football in 2018.

Griffiths spent two years at Bootham Crescent before moving back to the North East last summer when he signed a one-year deal with Gateshead.

He made 15 appearances for the Heed but was named on a list of released players last week.

Quakers manager Alun Armstrong told the club website: “Kallum has got plenty of experience which we need at the club. He’s a proper defender first and foremost, and is also good at delivering setpieces.

“He’s also a very good character in the dressing room, and when you look at his career, is a winner.

“I’ve always been interested in him. I spoke to him last year, but at that time he wanted to stay in the full-time game so he joined Gateshead.

“He’s quite happy now to go parttime with us.”

There was more good news for Armstrong on Thursday as assistant manager Darren Holloway signed a new deal. The duo worked together with success at Blyth Spartans and helped the Croft Park club to the Northern Premier League and Northumberland Senior Cup double in 2017.

They joined Darlington in 2019 and Holloway is relishing the prospect of continuing to work alongside the former Middlesbrough striker with the Quakers.

After signing his deal, Holloway told the club website: “I’m delighted to sign a new deal with the club, because there is a huge amount of potential.”